Babys Teething Process : A Guide for Parents on Managing Tooth Growth

Babys Teething Process : A Guide for Parents on Managing Tooth Growth

Teething is that stage of a child's development when the primary or baby teeth of that child begin to erupt into the mouth. It generally starts when the infant reaches an age of six to ten months, though this may be earlier or later in some cases.

The first to erupt are normally the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors. The rest of the teeth then follow, in order: the lateral incisors, first molars, canines (cuspids), and finally, second molars. This usually takes two to three years for the complete set of primary teeth to erupt.

Teething is a normal process; however, on many occasions, it may be somewhat irritating to the child. General signs include grumpiness, loss of appetite, dribbling, and a bit of pain. Parents can alleviate some of the pain by providing chilled teething rings or gently massaging the baby's gums.

Proper care of the teeth must be done when they begin to erupt. The gums and teeth can be cleaned by the parents with the use of a clean cloth or special baby toothbrush. Regular visits to the pediatric dentist are also quite essential in maintaining good health of the teeth of the child.

Teeth development commonly runs a course from the eruption of the first tooth to when the full complement of primary teeth is in place, usually at an age between one and a half to three years. The permanent teeth then start erupting, replacing these at around six years of age.